Electrical switch



Feb. 21, 1933. w HEALY 1,898,626

ELECTRICAL SWITCH Filed Dec. 26, 1930 Patented Feb. 21, 1933 UNITED. STATES PATENT. OFFICE WESLEY P. EEALY, O1 WAUKEGAN, ILLINOIS, ABBIGNOB, BY ASSIGWTS, IO BILLY-DAVIDSON CORPORATION, 01 OHIOA more, A. CORPORATION 01 ILLINOIS ELECTRICAL SWITCH Application filed December 88, 1880. Serial 80. 504,961.

This invention relates to a method and means for automatically switching, and tuning the switching of, electrical currents under high potential and more especially to the switching and timing of such h gh potential circuits as are commonly used in the 11 htmg of gas filled tubes, such as neon hghte slgns and the like. C be used for switching, and timing the switching of, other electrical apparatus or machmery, such as timing and switch ng compensation starting controls for electric motors by operating relays, for automatic switching of incandescent, signal and other kinds of electrically controlled lights, for producing spectacular results with electrically lighted signs for displays, for providing time regulated rotating electro-magnetic effects and circuit interrupting effects common In the practlce of the electrical arts, and for variousother purposes.

It has been customary, prior to my invention, to effect switching, and time regulation of the same, by means of motors, both electrical and mechanical, and other rotating, oscillating and interrupting switching devices. This practice involves the use, in most cases, of bulky and expensive apparatus and the necessity for considerable repair and maintenance.

The general object of this invention is to provide a switching and timing device which will function without. or with a minimum of moving parts, and which also, in one of its phases, rovides a spectacular efl'ect advantageous or advertising and displaypurposes.

Another object is to provide simplified wiring facilities for controlling neon lighted signs and other equipment to which similar circuits are applicable.

A further object is to provide a switching device in which the circuits are closed and opened by the establishment of, and the extinction of, an arc.

An additional object is to provide afdevice of this character in which the cycle of operations repeats itself automatically and at a rapid rate, which rate, furthermore, may be accelerated or retarded at will.

Said'method and means may A further object is to rovide a switching device, for the purpose escribed, which, of itself, constitutes a spectacular attraction, in addition to the attraction afforded by the flashing sign controlled thereby, said device having a transparent container to render the highthvolta e, moving arcs visible.

er jects and advantages will be apparent from the following description in conunction with the drawin wherein several embodiments of the invention are illustrated somewhat diagrammatically.

In the drawingi Fig. 1 illustrates one form of switch, connected to three tube sections of a neon sign and a transformer source of current;

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate modified forms of switches;

Fig. 5 1s a; fragmnetary view of an electrode and its support.

Referring to Fig. 1, there are shown three individual neon tubes or a sign describing the word eat, arranged vertically in this instance, and also an arc switch. Electrodes 1, 2, 3 and 4 are suitabl suppo'rtedin an insulating mounting, 5, w ich, for example, may be made of porcelain, as shown in Fig. 5. Said electrodes are connected electrically to one side of the secondary of a transformer, 13, and also to terminal 17, terminals 18 and 19, terminals 20 and 21, and terminal 22 respectively of neon tube letters 14, 15 and 16. Any number of electrodes may be employed,

' depending on the character ofthe si Another electrode 6, mounted ad acent to said electrodes 1, 2, 3 and 4, and preferably in a vertical position, is connected to the other side of the secondary of transformer 13, and, as illustrated, provides arc ga s 0 various lengthsbetween itself and said electrodes, which later diverge from said electrode 6. The said are gaps occur in substantially vertical alignment, with the smallest gap, preferably at the bottom and increasing in length to'the top, said are gaps being numbered 8, 24, 25, 26 and 11 and being adjustable in length, as shown in Fig. 5, that is, in their spacing or distance from electrode 6, the adjustment depending upon the resistance of the various circuits, the a paratus to be connected to them and the e ects desired.

The operation of this ap aratus as thus far described is as follows: ue to the hi h potential developed by the secondary of t e transformer, which is connected to electrodes 1 and 6,-and due to the proper conductivity of arc gap at 8, an arc is formed between electrodes 1 and 6, at the point 8. The arc 23 then rises along the path formed by conductors 1 and 6 until it arrives at conductor 2 are gap 24, where it leaves conductor 1 and continues along conductors 2 and 6 (see are 23), repeating this operation with e ectrodes the secondary of the transformer to the neon tube'14, i. e., letter E, and back to the other side of said secondary windin of the transformer, the voltage being sulhcient to break down the air gap and also to cause said tube to glow. The arcat 25 establishes the circuit from the secondary of said transformer to the terminal 20 of neon tube 15, i. e., letter A, from the terminal 19 to terminal 18 of letter E, and from the other terminal, 17, thereof, back to the transformer, thus connecting the two letters, E and A, in series and lighting both of them. The arc at 26 in like manner establishes the circuit from the transformer to the terminal 22 of neon tube 16, i. e., letter T, and from the terminal 21 thereof to terminal 20 of letter A, and from terminal 19' to terminal 18 of letter E, and from terminal 17 thereof back to the transformer, thus connecting all three letters in series and causin all three of them to be illuminated, after w 'ch they are all extinguished simultaneously. When the arc reestablishes itself across the gap 8, as it does immediately, there is a brief interval of time while it is running upwardl to the endlof the electrode 1, durin whic none of the letters is illuminated. his particular arran ement of letters and circuits is selected mere to illustrate one of many possible commercial uses of the arcswitch.

Electrode 7, fastened in said insulating support 5, is an additional or optional feature, providing further facility of operation, as follows: After the arc has arrived at gap 11, the ionized as enveloping the closest points of electro es 4 and 7 reduces the resistance of gap 10, so that its resistance, plus the resistance of gap 9, with which it is in series, is less than the resistance of gap 8 and consequently, arcs are formed at gaps9and 10. The are formed at gap 10 remains at the point indicated, but the are formed at gap 9, due to thermal action, rises along diverging conductors 6 and 7 to a oint somewhere near gap 12, where it brea and being in series with the are at point 10, both arcs are consequently broken. An arc is again formed at point 8, which is at that moment the lowest point of resistance in any of the gaps considered and the entire operation is again repeated. The advantage of electrode 7, in this particular illustration, is that it permits the word Eat to remain entirely lighted, after it has been spelled out letter by letter with electrodes 2, 3 and 4 until the are formed at gap 9 breaks at the a indicated near point 12. Terminal27 o e ectrode 7 ma be used for other combinations of circuit e ects possible throu h the use of other circuits and apparatus an combinations of various arc switches.

The electrodes are surrounded by a container, 30, which may be secured to the insulating support, 5, and is made referably of transparent material, whereby the rapidly as cending succession of arcs may be viewed, for their spectacular value. While the arc switch may be located at a distance from the sign, it is preferably closely associated there- WltlL and, if mounted in such position as to be visible to observers of the sign, ma be used to augment the spectacular effect of t e latter.

Said container 30 is 0 en at its upper and lower ends, as shown 1n Fig. 1, to permit an ascending column of air to flow therethrough. A damper, 29, is shown hinged at 28 to the top of said container, or otherwise adj ustably secured thereto, whereby the speed of ascent of the arc and hence of the cycle of operations, may be regulated-for example, y opening the damper more than in its position, shown in Fig. 1, the arcs ascend at a more rapid rate, causing the si to flash more rapidly, and, by moving the amper in the reverse direction, the sequence of operations is retarded. The dam r may be located at the lower end, instea of at the upper end, or a damper may be provided at each end.

One important advantage of my electrode arrangement is that the device operates at regular timed intervals. For example where the shorter electrodes are all the same length, as in Fig. 1, and cooperate with a. common electrode, the arc runs rapidly up the path provided, becomes extinguished and is reestablished immediately at the bottom, the circuits controlled by said shorter electrodes being closed for equal time intervals. If instead of providing four electrodes of the same length, it is desirable to provide five or six'or any larger number of electrodes together with the common electrode, said additional electrodes of the same length as the others are merely'added to the combination and the'various circuits controlled by all of said electrodes remain closed for equal intervals of time. Conversely, the removal of any uppermost electrode to rovide for one less circuit, will not disturb t e uniform time in- V as the adjustment of the damper.

Fig. 3 illustrates a ma moving arc switch. The e ectrodes 1 2, 3 and 4 may be similar to those describe in connection with Fig. 1, and are arranged adjacent to the substantlall vertical electrode 6, as previousl describe The electrodes are surrounded y a container, 47', in this case of cylindrical form,.and a coil of wire, 48 is located adjacent said cylinder, the ends of said coil being connected to terminals 49 and 50, of the same source of alternatin current as that by which the device is operate ,whereby a ma etic field may be created tending to move t e are formed between the electrodes from the point where the arc gap is the smallest to a point where it approaches a maximum. After the arc breaks, it again reforms between the electrodes 1 and 6, as will be ap arent.

Jlectrodes 1, 2, 3 and 4 may be connected to a neon si and to a source of electrical ener as il ustrated in Fig. 1, or an other suita le apparatus may be operated y this magnetic moving arc switch. The rapidity of the switching action may be re ulated by adjusting the current supplied to t e coil, the arc movement being faster as the magnetic field becomes stronger and vice versa, or, by holding the magnetic field constant, the s eed of movement ofthe arc may be varie by varying the current flowing through said are.

Inthe modification shown in Fig. 4, a plurality'of electrodes, 52, 53, 54, 55' and 56, are arranged, one over the other, in staggered and overlapping relation but out of contact with each other, each electrode being inclined away from the electrode immediate o posite. The are p between the middle of e ectrode 52 andt e lower end of electrode 53 is the shortest,.the remaining are gaps becoming progressin ly longer. When the arc is first establishe at the lowermost gap, it closes the circuit from "the transformer to the two lower electrodes without energizing any of the neon tubes or other current responsive devices connected thereto, but when the arc moves upwardly and establishes a circuit across electrodes 53, 54, transformer current flows through the letter E. The next hi her are ga controls the circuit to letter on one si e of the circuit and E on the other side, thereby illuminating both letters, and the u permost gap in this instance controls the circuit through the letters T and E in series on one side and the letter A on the other side of the circuit, thereby 'lluminating the entire word, after which t e are extinguishes itself and is reestablished at the bottom gap. As explained in connection with etically operated.

Fig. 1, the arc gaps need not necessarily increase in length from the bottom to the top of the series.

The electrodes, which are shown diagrammaticaly in this figure, may be suitably supported in the wall of the container, 57 as m 5, the mounting in each case being ei'- ther at the bottom or the top of the electrode. In fact, in the other forms of invention illus-. trated in Figs. 1 and 3, also, the electrodes may be supported either at the top or bottom thereof. urthermore, the short electrodes need not necessarily be mounted in a plane. pgssing through the long electrode but may inclined with reference to said plane.

In the neral application of the container, or enc osure, shown in the several figures of the drawing, the same may be sealed, evacuated and fi'led with various inert or other gases, particularly in conjunction with the magnetic and electrostatic type of switches. Also, said container may be treated with fluorescentsubstances to produce a luminous glow, in' various colors and degrees, visible to the eye, thereby addin to the display value of the equipment. This latter feature is particularly applicable to the transparent, or partially open, opaque container or enclosure, or such other -materi al used in constructing said container as would pass such rays of the are as to cause the fluorescent material to glow. Fluorescent treated objects, designs, or the like, may also be placed in or about the container to create many novel effects, all contributing to the spectacular-and display value of the e uipment.

The proper lengt of the various arc gaps is dependent on the resistance of the circuits with which the electrodes are connected, said resistance includin in the forms illustrated. the resistance 0 the neon tubes.

It is an inherent function. of neon tubes and other gaseous tubes, as is well known, that the resistance of the same is relatively high and requires a high voltage to break down said resistance and establish a circuit. During the alternations of an ordinary commercial alternating circuit. the transformer. voltage has to build up sufficiently to break down the resistance of the tube, after which a circuit is'established and current fiowsuntil the voltage decreases below the po nt sufiicient to maintain said current flow. No current flows, from this point during the reversal of the cycle, untilthe voltage during the succeeding half cycle builds upto a point sufficient to break down the resistance, after which current flows for a short interval of time and the operat on is repeated during each half cycle. During the operation of the are switching device described herein, the arc path switches from one circuit-to another between the half cycle periods when no current is flowing. Said arc first establishes itself across a gap between the first electrode and the common electrode after which the arc moves to such a osition that a path of lesser resistance for t e operation of-the arc is created between the common electrode and the second circuit electrode. Just as this condition is established, the arc discontinues the circuit between the common electrode and the first electrode directly following the interruption of current flow of the last half cycle of the alternating current supply. During the next half cycle when sufiicient potential is established, current flows from the common electrode to the second circuit electrode.

The method of switching in this manner, by means of an arc, will be claimed in a separate application.

I claim:

1. An arc switch comprising an insulating support, a series of electrodes passing therethrough at successive points thereon and a common electrode also carried by said support, arranged adjacent said first electrodes and diverging therefrom, said first electrodes being adjustable with respect to said common electrode.

2. An arc switch comprising a substan tially vertical electrode having a circuit terminal, a series of shorter electrodes arranged substantially in vertical alignment in spaced end to end relation but divergent with respect to said. first electrode, each of said shorter electrodes having an independent circuit terminal whereby an are established between sa d first 'eectrode and the nearest point on one of said shorter electrodes will travel upwardly along said first electrode and close the successive independent circuits from the common circuit terminal to the circuit terminals of said shorter electrodes, a casing enclosing said electrodes and means providing a variable opening in said casing to regulate the rate of travel of said are.

3. An elongated arc switch comprising an insulating support, a series of electrodes passing therethrough at successive points thereon and each having a portion arranged nearly. parallel to said support, a common electrode also .carried by said support-and arranged adjacent said first electrodes and extending along the same at gradually increas ng distances from one end to the other, a casing secured to said insulating. support and enclosing said electrodes but open at its ends. and a hinged closure at one end for varying the effective size of the opening.

4. The combination with an arc switch having a long electrode; a series of shorter electrodes diverging from said long electrode and arranged throughoutthe length of said long electrode at increasingly greater distances therefrom, of a series of current responsive devices, circuits therefrom .to a source of current and tosaid shorter electrodes, and a circuit from said long electrode to said current source to ermit an arc to be established between said long electrode and said shorter electrodes seriatim to close and open certain of said circuits.

5. The combination with an arc switch, having a long, substantially vertical electrode, aseries of shorter electrodes diverging from said long electrode and arranged throughout the length of said long electrode at varying distances therefrom, of a plural-- ity of gaseous discharge tubes such as neon tubes connected in series with each other, a source of high potential including a transformer the end tube of the series being connected to one terminal of the secondary of said transformer, the other end tube of the series being connected to the end electrode of 6. The combination with an arc switch, having a long, substantially vertical elec-- trode, a series of shorter electrodes diverging from said long electrode and arranged throughout the length of said long electrode at increasingly greater distances therefrom, of a plurality of gaseous discharge tubes such as neon tubes connected in series with each'other, the end tube of the series being connected to one secondary terminal of a transformer, the other end tube of the series being connected to the end electrode of said series of shorter electrodes, connections from points intermediate said tubes to other of said shorter electrodes, a circuit from said lon electrode to another secondary terminal-o said transformer to permit an arc to be established between said long electrode and said shorter electrodes seriatim to connect said tubes in circuit one after the other, a casing for said electrodes to exclude disturbing air currents, and means permitting a regulated flow of air therethrough to control the rate of travel of said are.

7. An arc switch comprising 'a plurality of electrodes mounted one over the other in staggered and overlapping relation, but out of contact with each other, and each inclined away from the adjacent electrodes, supply circuit terminals for the two lower electrodes and terminals for the remaining electrodes permitting connections therefrom to an adj acent electrode through a current responsive device.

8. In an arc switch, a series of substantially aligrfed electrodes,.a common electrode arranged adjacent said series of electrodes and extending along the same at varying distances trode and the other end within arcin name from one e nd to the other, and another electrode adjacent said common electrode and also diverging therefrom with the one end within arcmg distance of said common elatio- 8- tance of the end electrode of said series of electrodes.

9. A flashing device comprising: plurality of illuminating units, a source of ig tension current for said units, a circuit connecting each unit to said source, a air of electrodes in series in each circuit, and aving an ascending p between them which widens as it ascan 8, said airs of electrodes being arranged end to end ut'sligxhtly spaced a art with the lower ends of eac pair above t e lowermost pair disposed within the field of the spaark umping the gap betweenthe upper en of the next lower pair, the gap between the lower ends of the owermost pair of electrodes being the smallest of all, whereby a s ark will jump the ga at the lower ends of t e lowermost pair 0 electrodes and close the circuit of that pair, and then travel upwardly from pair to pair and closin the circuits in succession.

10. A flashing device com rising a lurality of illuminating umts, a source of high voltage current, an individual circuit connecting each unit to said source, a pair of electrodes in series in each circuit, and an ascending passage in which said pairs of electrodes are arran ed end to endwith a slight ace between adjacent ends of the pairs of e ectrodes whereby a spark jumping the gap between the electrodes of the lowermost pair will ascend in said passage from pair to pair and close said circuits in succession.

11. A flashing device, comprising a lurality of illuminating units, a source 0 high voltage current, an. individual circuit connecting each unit to said source, a pair of electrodes in series in each circuit, an ascending passage in which said pairs of electrodes are arranged end to end with a slight space between adjacent ends of the pairs of electrodes, whereby'a spark jumping the gap between the electrodes ofthe lowermost pair will ascend in said passage from pair to pair and close said circuits in succession, and means for regulating the flow of ascendin 8.11 in said passage to vary the rate of trave of said spark.

. 12. An arc switch comprising an insulating support, a series of electrodes carried thereb and a common electrode also carried by sai sup ort and arranged adjacent said first electr es and diver 'ng therefrom, said first electrodes being adaustable with respect e.

to said common electro 13. The-combination with gaseous tubes having an inherentl high resistance corresponding to that o an open circuit, of a source ofalternating current having a voltage suflicient to break down said resistance and establish a circuit throng during each half cycle of said alternatm current and continuing for a plurality o cycles, and means for switching the. circmt connections from one of said seous tubes to another concurrentl with anges from one half cycle to anot er, said means com-' risin a common electrode, a sup ort thereor an a slurality of electrodes mounted on sai su port adjacent said common electrode and merging therefrom.

14. The combination with gaseous tubes .having an inherently high resistance, of a signature.

WESLEY P. 'HEALY.

hsaidtubes, 

